Chapter 117: The R Vaccine

Zhong Zhiying returned to the hotel, and a female ninja immediately knelt to salute her. "Mistress, the results of the investigation you requested are ready."

"Let's hear it." She sat down, crossing her legs.

"According to our shadow surveillance, the shooter was hired by a man named Huang Ye, who has an unusual relationship with Zhao Weiqing."

"Oh, it's him." Zhong Zhiying's eyes darkened, and a sinister smile curled the corners of her lips. "And the assassin?"

"I have already taken care of him. Shall we proceed?"

"The game isn't over yet. Let them enjoy these next few days." After speaking, Zhong Zhiying removed her clothes, revealing her exquisite body, and walked into the bathroom. The female ninja retreated tactfully.

Zhong Zhiying filled the tub with warm water and lay inside. She had originally intended to play a game, but the deeper she went, the more envious she became. The light reflected on the water surface cast the silhouette of Zeng Jia. She gently touched the warm water, the ripples causing his image to vanish.

Du Bin and Hu Guozheng did not contact Zeng Jia again. They waited at the inn for news, confident that Zeng Jia would reach out given his position—after all, it was Qin Ling's idea to use the secrets of Zeng Yilong as bait. They consulted with each other periodically over the past few days. Meanwhile, Hu Guozheng contacted Auntie Lan and the "Beast" from Beast Publishing to investigate Dr. She. He opened his laptop and stared intently at the news; as the press conference neared, Auntie Lan waited outside.

The virus-infected humans, controlled and attacking wildly, had been contained within a specific area by superior military force. Led by military vehicles, Dr. She entered the quarantine zone. Numerous medical personnel in full gear emerged from the vehicles, walking into the tents with serious expressions, each carrying a case.

A military officer entered the tent to find Li Ping’s Special Investigation Unit. Only four members remained after the battle; had Li Ping not forcibly used the R-series booster, they would have been completely wiped out. Having witnessed such immense power, Li Jianwen and Zhang Zhi Hao craved it even more, their loyalty to Li Ping surpassing mere duty. Li Ning, however, felt differently, believing such power violated the fundamental nature of humanity.

At Dr. She's signal, the medical personnel opened their cases, each containing eight vials of a green serum. Soldiers brought in several infected subjects. Following preliminary procedures, the medics drew a small amount of the green serum into syringes, mixed it with other agents, and injected it into the subjects. Within moments, the virus within the subjects was neutralized by the serum. Deprived of the virus's control, their bodily functions and consciousness began to recover, though they remained unconscious due to prolonged subjection.

Once verified, the serum was distributed on a large scale, and the number of infected people began to dwindle. Ye Lan, hiding nearby, observed everything through binoculars. From treatment to recovery, it took less than three hours for the subjects to regain normal cognitive function, while those with severe injuries were transferred to hospitals for surgery.

Dr. She, under police protection, arrived outside the quarantine zone where a crowd of reporters waited. He offered complex, rehearsed explanations that left the media baffled, while the truth was suppressed under government pressure. Ye Lan used her phone to inform Hu Guozheng, and the two searched for live footage of the event on their laptops.

"After tireless efforts, our research institute has finally developed a new type of vaccine. It enhances various human biological elements and immunity. Years of testing have confirmed it has no side effects. The vaccine is officially named the R-series Booster." As soon as Dr. She finished explaining the "smog," he began promoting the product. Since these products were for the general public, their potency was vastly inferior to the true boosters used by the military.

The vaccine made headlines instantly, selling for over ten thousand yuan per dose. Within a day, the first batch of one hundred thousand units was distributed from the institute to hospitals nationwide. Despite the high price, it could not dampen consumer enthusiasm. Those who tried the vaccine felt fundamentally transformed. The elderly benefited most: some no longer needed canes, others walked off their sickbeds, and many in vegetative states even woke up. The efficacy of the R-vaccine was so profound that thousands benefited in a single day, and sales skyrocketed.

"Old Du, do you think this vaccine is real?" Hu Guozheng puffed on a cigarette, watching the frenzy with a sense of helplessness. Sasha had been discussing this with him constantly.

Du Bin, who had long since quit smoking, found himself lighting up again. He recalled the strength Li Ping had displayed at Huangpu Hospital—it was not the power of a normal human. He couldn't help but suspect a connection between Li Ping and Dr. She. "It must be real. After all, the R-vaccine has already captured a major position in the medical market."

"What's wrong with you?" Hu Guozheng noticed he looked troubled.

"Nothing, I'm just wondering about something." Du Bin didn't explain. He trusted Li Ping as a friend, but everything had seemed strange since their time in the Philippines. If Li Ping had actually taken the R-vaccine, it would explain how he had crushed a glass with one hand back at the Shaoguan hospital.

Du Bin decided on his next move. "I don't think we'll get an answer from Zeng Jia in the short term, so let's investigate the ingredients of the vaccine ourselves."

"How do you plan to get your hands on the R-vaccine? Don't tell me you're going to steal it from a hospital." Hu Guozheng laughed. The vaccine was now a high-value product, protected by professional police at every hospital.

"I'll contact Lingling first to see if she can get a sample. If not, we'll have to steal it."

He called Qin Ling. She was lying on her bed in her pajamas, playing a game while a soap opera played on the LCD TV. She had been bored at the villa for two days; ever since Zeng Yilong caught her tailing him, he had been extremely cautious, which only made her more suspicious. Just then, Du Bin’s call came through.

"Du Bin, how is it on your end?"

"No answer yet, but it's not impossible. By the way, Lingling, did you see the news today?"

Qin Ling rolled over onto her stomach, excited. "I saw it! I can't believe those vaccines have such incredible functions. They say many people have been given a second life because of them. I don't understand—is it really that magical?"

"It should be true. Lingling, can you get a sample of the vaccine?"

"I'm so sorry. Yilong seems to know what I'm up to; his men are outside the villa, and I can't get out. As for the R-vaccine, I really can't help you get one. By the way, why do you want it?" Knowing he wanted the R-vaccine, Qin Ling felt helpless. She was essentially under house arrest and couldn't leave the villa, let alone steal a vaccine. She apologized sincerely.

"I want to check if there are any other functions hidden inside. After all, your husband and Dr. She are the ones researching this. If it's truly harmless to the human body, I wouldn't meddle."

Hearing that Du Bin wanted to investigate this city-wide sensation, she grew intrigued. "You're going to steal a vaccine from a hospital? How could I miss out on something so exciting? Du Bin, come pick me up now."

"Lingling, are you serious?" Du Bin doubted his own ears.

"What, is that a problem?" Qin Ling asked, pouting.

Du Bin knew he couldn't win against her, so he relented. "No, fine. Old Hu and I will be there shortly."